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Pair of Murano Glass Lamps with Amber Bubble Design, 21th Century
Pair of Murano Glass Lamps with Amber Bubble Design, 21th Century

Pair of Murano Glass Lamps with Amber Bubble Design, 21th Century

Located in NICE, FR

Pair of Italian Murano glass table lamps, featuring a sculptural composition of stacked rounded

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Murano Glass

Doria Table or Floor Lamp Chrome Large Smoked Bubble Glass Globe, 1970s
Doria Table or Floor Lamp Chrome Large Smoked Bubble Glass Globe, 1970s

Doria Table or Floor Lamp Chrome Large Smoked Bubble Glass Globe, 1970s

By Doria Leuchten Germany

Located in Rijssen, NL

Enormous Doria hand blown glass sphere on chrome base lamp, Italy, circa 1970. This exceptional

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Rupert Nikoll Midcentury Brass Tube Bubble Glass Table Lamp, Austria, 1950s
Rupert Nikoll Midcentury Brass Tube Bubble Glass Table Lamp, Austria, 1950s

Rupert Nikoll Midcentury Brass Tube Bubble Glass Table Lamp, Austria, 1950s

By Rupert Nikoll

Located in Vienna, AT

A beautiful modernist table lamp / side lamp from the 1950s, designed and executed by Rupert Nikoll

Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Two rare 1960s brass bedside lamps with gold bubble glass shades
Two rare 1960s brass bedside lamps with gold bubble glass shades

Two rare 1960s brass bedside lamps with gold bubble glass shades

Located in München, DE

Pair of very rare 1960s brass bedside lamps with golden bubble glass shades. Great, elegant design

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Bubble Glass Table Lamps by Helena Tynell, 1960s
Pair of Bubble Glass Table Lamps by Helena Tynell, 1960s

Pair of Bubble Glass Table Lamps by Helena Tynell, 1960s

By Helena Tynell

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

The lamps are executed with E14 Edison screw fit bulbs. It is in working condition. It runs both on

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Pair of Bubble Glass Table Lamps by Helena Tynell, 1960s
Pair of Bubble Glass Table Lamps by Helena Tynell, 1960s

Pair of Bubble Glass Table Lamps by Helena Tynell, 1960s

By Helena Tynell

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

The lamps are executed with E14 Edison screw fit bulbs. It is in working condition. It runs both on

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Vintage Herda Mid Century Adjustable Desk Lamp, 1970s
Vintage Herda Mid Century Adjustable Desk Lamp, 1970s

Vintage Herda Mid Century Adjustable Desk Lamp, 1970s

By Herda

Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH

Vintage mid century table lamp by Herda with flexible arm and shade. The adjustable arm can move up

Category

20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Glass, Wood

Contemporary Pair of Gold Bubble Murano Glass and Brass Lamps, Italy
Contemporary Pair of Gold Bubble Murano Glass and Brass Lamps, Italy

Contemporary Pair of Gold Bubble Murano Glass and Brass Lamps, Italy

Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR

Pair of Bubble table or bedside lamps in gold Murano glass and brass. Slight color difference due

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid Century Modern Brass Table Lamp Bases, 1960s
Pair of Mid Century Modern Brass Table Lamp Bases, 1960s

Pair of Mid Century Modern Brass Table Lamp Bases, 1960s

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

Mid Century Modern Brass & Bubble Glass Table Lamp Base, 1960s Germany We have many other

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

1 of 6 Petite Amber Bubble Glass Table lamps, Germany, 1970s
1 of 6 Petite Amber Bubble Glass Table lamps, Germany, 1970s

1 of 6 Petite Amber Bubble Glass Table lamps, Germany, 1970s

By Glashütte Limburg

Located in Aachen, NRW

One of six amber bubble glass table lights made in Germany. Very good condition. Cleaned, well

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Swedish Green Bubble Art Glass Table Lamp Model 7420 by Fåglavik, 1970s
Swedish Green Bubble Art Glass Table Lamp Model 7420 by Fåglavik, 1970s

Swedish Green Bubble Art Glass Table Lamp Model 7420 by Fåglavik, 1970s

By Fåglavik

Located in Västra Frölunda, SE

. The lamp is made of moulded green art glass featuring a bold relief pattern of rounded, bubble-like

Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Table Lamp by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden
Mid-Century Modern Crystal Table Lamp by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Table Lamp by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden

By Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Iconic Swedish Mid-Century Modern crystal table lamp with soft bubbled croc texture by designer

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Crystal, Metal

Pair of BarovierAttributed  Mid-Century Modern Murano Art Glass Table Lamps
Pair of BarovierAttributed  Mid-Century Modern Murano Art Glass Table Lamps

Pair of BarovierAttributed Mid-Century Modern Murano Art Glass Table Lamps

By Barovier

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

approximately 1950 and done in the Mid-Century Modern style. The lamps are composed of a heavy clear art glass

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Brass Floor Lamp with Hand-Blown Glass Shade – Prague, 1960s
Mid-Century Brass Floor Lamp with Hand-Blown Glass Shade – Prague, 1960s

Mid-Century Brass Floor Lamp with Hand-Blown Glass Shade – Prague, 1960s

Located in Almelo, NL

Mid-Century Brass Floor Lamp with Hand-Blown Glass Shade – Prague, 1960s (3 Available, Priced Per

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Table Desk Lamp, Chrystal Base Floral Shade, France 1960s
Mid-Century Table Desk Lamp, Chrystal Base Floral Shade, France 1960s

Mid-Century Table Desk Lamp, Chrystal Base Floral Shade, France 1960s

Located in Saarbruecken, DE

Mid-century table desk lamp, chrystal base with bubbles, France 1960s. No chips. new shade

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Murano Glass Cube Floor Lamp, Toni Zuccheri, VeArt, Italy 1970s
Mid-Century Murano Glass Cube Floor Lamp, Toni Zuccheri, VeArt, Italy 1970s

Mid-Century Murano Glass Cube Floor Lamp, Toni Zuccheri, VeArt, Italy 1970s

By Toni Zuccheri

Located in Kampen, NL

A sculptural Mid-Century Murano glass floor lamp designed by Toni Zuccheri for VeArt in the 1970s

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Small Murano Table Lamp in Twisted Glass with Internal Air-Bubbles, 1950s
Small Murano Table Lamp in Twisted Glass with Internal Air-Bubbles, 1950s

Small Murano Table Lamp in Twisted Glass with Internal Air-Bubbles, 1950s

Located in Esbjerg, DK

Small fluted table lamp in red and clear hand-blown glass with internal air bubbles. Made in Murano

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Blown Glass

1970s Kosta Boda Bubble Glass Table Lamp with Verner Panton Fabric Shade
1970s Kosta Boda Bubble Glass Table Lamp with Verner Panton Fabric Shade

1970s Kosta Boda Bubble Glass Table Lamp with Verner Panton Fabric Shade

By Kosta Boda

Located in Weesp, NL

1970s Kosta Boda Bubble Glass Table Lamp with Verner Panton Fabric Shade Add an iconic statement

Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Cotton, Blown Glass

Italian mid-century modern Murano glass table lamps by Barovier&Toso, 1960s
Italian mid-century modern Murano glass table lamps by Barovier&Toso, 1960s

Italian mid-century modern Murano glass table lamps by Barovier&Toso, 1960s

By Barovier&Toso

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern Murano glass table lamps by Barovier&Toso, 1960s Pair of brass and

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Erik Hoglund Mid Century Iron and Glass Pendant Teardrop Table Lamp Sweden
Erik Hoglund Mid Century Iron and Glass Pendant Teardrop Table Lamp Sweden

Erik Hoglund Mid Century Iron and Glass Pendant Teardrop Table Lamp Sweden

By Erik Höglund

Located in North Miami, FL

This fantastic and unusual Swedish Mid-Century Modern black iron lamp that has two rows of Murano

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Iron

Pair of Mid-Century Gold Aventurine Bullicante on White Murano Table Lamps
Pair of Mid-Century Gold Aventurine Bullicante on White Murano Table Lamps

Pair of Mid-Century Gold Aventurine Bullicante on White Murano Table Lamps

By Barovier&Toso

Located in Chicago, IL

This pair of white and aventurine Mid-century Murano table lamps were made in the style of Barovier

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Blown Glass

Golden brass floor lamp with 3 half-spheres in golden bubbled glass Carlo Nason
Golden brass floor lamp with 3 half-spheres in golden bubbled glass Carlo Nason

Golden brass floor lamp with 3 half-spheres in golden bubbled glass Carlo Nason

By Carlo Nason

Located in PARIS, FR

. This floor lamp exemplifies Nason’s mastery of glasswork and material contrast. The golden brass

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Bubble Glass and Brass Table Lamp by Helena Tynell for Limburg, 1960s
Midcentury Bubble Glass and Brass Table Lamp by Helena Tynell for Limburg, 1960s

Midcentury Bubble Glass and Brass Table Lamp by Helena Tynell for Limburg, 1960s

By Helena Tynell and Heinrich Gantenbrink, Glashütte Limburg

Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW

This midcentury table lamp were designed by Helena Tynell and manufactured by Limburg in the 1960s

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Modern Chrome Sputnik Style Bubble Glass Globe Lamps Att. to TSAO Designs, Pair
Modern Chrome Sputnik Style Bubble Glass Globe Lamps Att. to TSAO Designs, Pair

Modern Chrome Sputnik Style Bubble Glass Globe Lamps Att. to TSAO Designs, Pair

By TSAO Designs

Located in Kennesaw, GA

These are awesome! This is a pair of modern 1970s chrome based Sputnik style clear bubble glass

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Air Bubble Glass Pair of Table Lamps in the style of Azucena, 1960s, Italy
Air Bubble Glass Pair of Table Lamps in the style of Azucena, 1960s, Italy

Air Bubble Glass Pair of Table Lamps in the style of Azucena, 1960s, Italy

By Azucena

Located in Hagenbach, DE

Air Bubble Glass Pair of Table Lamps in the style of Azucena, 1960s, Italy Lamps are in very good

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Rare Pair of Cream and Pewter Bubble Lamps by Helena Tynell for Flygsfors
Rare Pair of Cream and Pewter Bubble Lamps by Helena Tynell for Flygsfors

Rare Pair of Cream and Pewter Bubble Lamps by Helena Tynell for Flygsfors

By Flygsfors, Helena Tynell

Located in Atlanta, GA

firm Flygsfors, circa 1960. Thick glass vessels with the iconic bubble pattern, reverse painted in

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Pewter

1970s Napako "Bubble" Chandelier, Czechoslovakia
1970s Napako "Bubble" Chandelier, Czechoslovakia

1970s Napako "Bubble" Chandelier, Czechoslovakia

By Josef Hurka

Located in Praha, CZ

Made in Czechoslovakia, designed by Josef Hurka, manufactured by Napako in the 1970's. Made of metal, plastic. Repolished, cleaned. Fully functional, in original condition, few minor...

Category

Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Plastic

1950s Pair Huge Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Mid Century Modern Table Lamp Italy
1950s Pair Huge Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Mid Century Modern Table Lamp Italy

1950s Pair Huge Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Mid Century Modern Table Lamp Italy

By Aldo Londi, Raymor

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

1950s Pair Huge Aldo Londi Bitossi Raymor Mid Century Modern Table Lamp Italy 1950s Rare Pair

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Set of 5 Mid Century Modern Murano glass Mushroom table lamps, Italy 1970s
Set of 5 Mid Century Modern Murano glass Mushroom table lamps, Italy 1970s

Set of 5 Mid Century Modern Murano glass Mushroom table lamps, Italy 1970s

By Gino Vistosi

Located in Beograd, RS

Set of 5 Mid Century Modern Mushroom-shaped lamps done in Murano glass. They come in various sizes

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Murano Glass

German Bubble Glass Outdoor Light by Hofmeister, 1960s
German Bubble Glass Outdoor Light by Hofmeister, 1960s

German Bubble Glass Outdoor Light by Hofmeister, 1960s

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

Executed in copper sheet, each lamp comes with 1 x E27 Edison screw fit bulb holder, is wired and

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal

Xxl Table Light with White Murano Bubble Glass Shade from Cosack, 1970s
Xxl Table Light with White Murano Bubble Glass Shade from Cosack, 1970s

Xxl Table Light with White Murano Bubble Glass Shade from Cosack, 1970s

By Gebrüder Cosack, Cosack Leuchten

Located in Kirchlengern, DE

Table light. Producer: Cosack Ligths, Germany. 1970s. This original table light with a round glass shade and chromed base was made by German premium light producer Cosack in...

Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Mid-century Helena Tynell large bubble hanging lamp , 1970s
Mid-century Helena Tynell large bubble hanging lamp , 1970s

Mid-century Helena Tynell large bubble hanging lamp , 1970s

By Helena Tynell

Located in Delft, NL

Mid-century Helena Tynell large bubble hanging lamp , 1970s

Category

Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Beautiful original Mid Century Modern glass bubble wall lamp
Beautiful original Mid Century Modern glass bubble wall lamp

Beautiful original Mid Century Modern glass bubble wall lamp

Located in München, DE

Beautiful original Mid-Century Modern glass bubble wall lamp. Great high-quality design with lovely

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Barovier & Toso Murano Glass Lamps Pair
Barovier & Toso Murano Glass Lamps Pair

Barovier & Toso Murano Glass Lamps Pair

By Barovier&Toso

Located in Winter Park, FL

A pair of Mid Century Murano glass lamps by Barovier & Toso. Beautiful pineapple gold color with

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Timo Sarpaneva Table Lamp "Arkipelago" for Ittala, Sweden 1960s
Timo Sarpaneva Table Lamp "Arkipelago" for Ittala, Sweden 1960s

Timo Sarpaneva Table Lamp "Arkipelago" for Ittala, Sweden 1960s

By Timo Sarpaneva, Iittala

Located in Linkebeek, BE

Timo Sarpaneva Table Lamp "Arkipelago" for Ittala, Sweden 1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century - Glass

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Rope, Art Glass

Vintage Italian Murano Glass Lamps - A Pair
Vintage Italian Murano Glass Lamps - A Pair

Vintage Italian Murano Glass Lamps - A Pair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exquisite pair of hand-blown Murano glass lamps represents the pinnacle of mid-century Italian

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cocoon Tripod Floor Lamp with Brass Accents, 1960s
Vintage Cocoon Tripod Floor Lamp with Brass Accents, 1960s

Vintage Cocoon Tripod Floor Lamp with Brass Accents, 1960s

By Achille Castiglioni

Located in Linkebeek, BE

Plastic Beautiful mid-century tripod cocoon floor lamp from the 1960s. The shade, reminiscent of George

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Murano Pink Barbini Glass Lamps
Pair of Murano Pink Barbini Glass Lamps

Pair of Murano Pink Barbini Glass Lamps

By Alfredo Barbini

Located in Winter Park, FL

A pair of Mid Century Murano glass lamps by Alfredo Barbini. Beautiful opalescent cotton candy pink

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Alabaster, Marble, Brass

Mid Century Modern Chrome & Bubble Glass Pendant Lamp, 1960s Germany
Mid Century Modern Chrome & Bubble Glass Pendant Lamp, 1960s Germany

Mid Century Modern Chrome & Bubble Glass Pendant Lamp, 1960s Germany

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

Mid Century Modern Chrome & Bubble Glass Pendant Lamp, 1960s Germany Dimensions Diameter: 13.77 in

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Rare Murano Glass Table Lamp by Carlo Nason, Italy, 1970s
Rare Murano Glass Table Lamp by Carlo Nason, Italy, 1970s

Rare Murano Glass Table Lamp by Carlo Nason, Italy, 1970s

By Carlo Nason

Located in Beograd, RS

In this listing you will find a very rare Mid-Century Modern table lamp by Carlo Nason done in

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

1 of 2 Bubble Glass Lamp, STAFF, Krüger, Mid-Century, Germany
1 of 2 Bubble Glass Lamp, STAFF, Krüger, Mid-Century, Germany

1 of 2 Bubble Glass Lamp, STAFF, Krüger, Mid-Century, Germany

By Staff Leuchten, Rolf Krüger

Located in Berlin, BE

One of twocClassic ball lamps with bubble relief. Original from the 1970s. Glass / chrome

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Bubble Wall Lamps by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden
Mid-Century Modern Bubble Wall Lamps by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden

Mid-Century Modern Bubble Wall Lamps by Carl Fagerlund, Sweden

By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund

Located in Hillringsberg, SE

Mid-century large modern bubble/drop wall lamps design by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors Glasbruk in

Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Bubbles Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Bubbles Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Bubbles Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s

By Maestri Muranesi

Located in Puglia, Puglia

Suspension lamp in blown Murano glass with air bubbles, composed of two parts, underlying spiral

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Bubbles Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Bubbles Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s

Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Bubbles Glass Pendant Lamp, 1970s

By Seguso

Located in Puglia, Puglia

Superb suspension lamp in Murano glass, attributed to Seguso, technique of production of blown

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Doria 1970s Large Murano Glass Globe Round Brass Flush Mount Table Light Lamp
Doria 1970s Large Murano Glass Globe Round Brass Flush Mount Table Light Lamp

Doria 1970s Large Murano Glass Globe Round Brass Flush Mount Table Light Lamp

By Doria Leuchten Germany

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Large, rare to find in the full "Gold" version, vintage / retro / mid century modern flush mount

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Gold, Brass

Italian Mid-Century Gilded Ceiling Lamp with Amber Bubble Glass, 1950s
Italian Mid-Century Gilded Ceiling Lamp with Amber Bubble Glass, 1950s

Italian Mid-Century Gilded Ceiling Lamp with Amber Bubble Glass, 1950s

Located in Antwerp, BE

Italian Mid-Century Gilded Ceiling Lamp with Amber Bubble Glass, 1970s A rare and decorative

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

A bright red crystal Glass Lamp by Börne Augustsson for Åseda, Sweden
A bright red crystal Glass Lamp by Börne Augustsson for Åseda, Sweden

A bright red crystal Glass Lamp by Börne Augustsson for Åseda, Sweden

By Aseda

Located in Skarpnäck, SE

A stunning bright red mid-century modern crystal lamp made by the talented Börne Augustsson for

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Blown Glass

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Midcentury Bubble Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal midcentury bubble lamp for your home. Frequently made of metal, glass and brass, every midcentury bubble lamp was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect midcentury bubble lamp — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right midcentury bubble lamp, those designed in Mid-Century Modern styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one midcentury bubble lamp that is appealing in its simplicity, but Glashütte Limburg, Helena Tynell and Barovier&Toso produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Midcentury Bubble Lamp?

A midcentury bubble lamp can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,472, while the lowest priced sells for $332 and the highest can go for as much as $4,850.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Finding the Right Lighting for You

The right table lamp, outwardly sculptural chandelier or understated wall pendant can work wonders for your home. While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later. A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs.

Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.

Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat. 

Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.

As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.

There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation

With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.

The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Questions About Midcentury Bubble Lamp
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Herman Miller makes Nelson bubble lamps. George Nelson first created the steel lamps with silk shades in 1952 with inspiration from a set of Swedish silk lamps that he had passed on purchasing due to their price. It was his desire to produce something similar for a more accessible price. On 1stDibs, find a collection of George Nelson lighting.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George Nelson Bubble Lamps are made of steel wires, which form a durable framework for the lamp. A plastic polymer material spread over the wires forms the shade which is translucent to give the lamp a soft glow. Inspired by Swedish lamps, these mid-century modern light fixtures are still made by the legendary furniture manufacturer Herman Miller today. Shop a range of George Nelson Bubble Lamps on 1stDibs.